The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District and its partners congratulate Lynn Huckaby of Farson, Wyo., and her mustang Sagebrush for placing first in July’s Mustang Versatility Trail Ride Buckle Series’ Extreme Trail Competition in Rock Springs, Wyo.

Leah Huckaby and Sagebrush, Horse of the Month Winners

Winners Saddle for the Extreme Trail Competition

Leah Huckaby, also on Sagebrush, received Horse of the Month honors at the event. The Horse of the Month is chosen by the judges and other committee members based on how well a rider and mustang work together.

The Fourth Annual Mustang Versatility Trail Ride Buckle Series kicked off on June 15. The four-event series offers trail rides, obstacle courses, in-hand events and timed games for riders of all ages to showcase their mustangs, although all horse breeds are welcome. As a special challenge, the Extreme Trail Competition is offered for riders 18 or older competing only on a mustang.

Thirty horse and rider pairs participated in July. Series winners for the “Youth 12 and Under” category include Karissa Phillips on Blue Boy in first place, Daniel Hartford on Trixie in second and Gentry Sammons on Will in third. In the “Youth 14 to 18” category, winners include Leah Huckaby on Sagebrush in first, Keaten Martin on Dakota Dust in second and Breanna Martin on Ima Spirit Song in third. Winners for the “19 and Over” category include Bryan Helms on Cheeto in first, Melissa Robles on Crescendos Two Bars in second and Laura Halbert on Ruger in third.

The Extreme Trail Competition is for riders 18 or older competing only on a mustang. Lynn Huckaby on Sagebrush placed first, Ron Sundburg on Dusty placed second and Janet Hartford on Trixie placed third. A hand-tooled saddle from Southwestern Wyoming Wool Warehouse will go to this year’s Extreme Trail Competition top-point winner.

The series’ remaining events are scheduled for Aug. 10 and Sept. 14 at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility on Lionkol Rd. in Rock Springs. Membership is not required to participate, but only members accumulate points toward year-end buckles and awards. Nonmembers are eligible to receive daily prizes. Daily entry fees are $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Annual membership dues are $25 per family or $15 per individual. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The BLM and the Green River Chamber of Commerce welcome new co-sponsors this year: the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce, Southwestern Wyoming Wool Warehouse, Stacked Heart Ranch in Farson, Wyo., QEP Field Services and Wamsutter Conoco.

For more information, please contact Kathi Fine at 307-352-0292 or Janet Hartford at 307-297-0772.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of Americas public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.